by Trevor Sturgess

A building services firm that helps young people onto the career ladder has scooped a top award for the second time.

Whitecode Design Associates, was last night named Dartford and Gravesham business of the year. The company won a similar award in 2005.

Managing director Keith Wisdom and his team from Dartford were presented with an engraved glass trophy and £1,000 at a glittering gala dinner and dance in the Woodville Halls, Gravesend.

Matt Kear, of Lloyds TSB Bank and chairman of the judges of the Dartford and Gravesham Business Awards, praised Whitecode. "It's a really strong company that is expanding at a time when it's tough out there," he said. They had consistently taken on school leavers mostly from Wilmington Boys Grammar - to assist their business, add to its strength and plan for the future.

The company was founded 16 years ago and specialises in high-rise building services. It employs 40 staff, many of whom joined as teenagers and were sponsored through university.

Mr Wisdom said he was surprised to win the award for a second time. "We were happy to come along and support the evening. This was most unexpected." He promised to spend the prize money on his staff.

Cllr David Turner, deputy leader of Gravesham council, said the ceremony celebrated quality business talent. "We can make the whole of North West Kent a very special place for business," he said.

True Hair and Beauty was named Gravesham business of the year, while Fast Trak Solutions was Dartford business of the year.

Other awards went to Mobile Bar Hire, Crayford (Best New Business) and Claire Cooper of AR Engineering Industries, Wilmington (Business Personality of the Year). An £850 donation was made to the Royal British Legion.

The awards were sponsored by Dartford and Gravesham councils, Barnes Roffe, Lloyds TSB Commercial, ComputerTel, Vizards Wyeth, University of Greenwich, Thames Gateway (Kent) Chamber of Commerce, Adecco, Ward Security, John Lewis Bluewater and the KM Group.